A Rutland woman will serve less than two years in prison after pleading guilty to federal charges of conspiring to sell heroin and crack cocaine.

Darlene Palmer, 45, received a 20-month sentence from U.S. District Court Judge J. Gavin Murtha, who also ordered Palmer to undergo three years of supervision upon her release from prison.

According to court records, Palmer conspired with Annette Rider, 45, of Rutland, to distribute heroin and crack in Rutland during the spring of 2011. During that time, the Vermont Drug Task Force made several controlled purchases from Palmer and Rider. In August, a grand jury returned an indictment charging the two with conspiracy and several counts of distribution.

In September, Palmer and Rider were arrested by the Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Initially released on conditions, Palmer has been detained since October for violating her conditions of release.